“Content”, whether it be audio, video, art or whatever is a consumer product just like any other. Just because it is digital, does not allow the producer to decide how their product is used. DRM is setting a VERY dangerous precedent. Digital media is sort of unchartered waters for everyone at the moment. So its easy to fall in the trap, and accept these new restrictions as “normal”. But what happens when similar principles start spreading to other industries ?

Want to buy the new Harry Potter book ? Sure ! By buying the book however, you are implicitely agreeing to this EULA, which states that you cannot discuss the contents of this book (plot, characters, ending) with anyone else. After all, the author of the book would not want you to ruin the experience for everyone else. Its only fair !

Want to buy this new GM car ? Sure. But GM is now forcing you to only buy GM branded gaz, oil, tires, etc. Oh and forget about after-market parts. It is now illegal to replace any parts of your car with non-GM sanctionned parts. After all GM made the car, they should have a right to decide how the car is used afterwards, no ?

“Protected Video Path – Output Protection Management” detects the capabilities of the display devices you are using and manages how (and if at all) content is sent to it. In short, this means that if Longhorn detects that your monitor is not “secure” enough, then your premium video content won’t play on it until you buy one that is. Who gets to decide? The content providers of course.

So, if you hoped your monitor was the one thing you didn’t have to upgrade every 2-3 years, you might as well start saving right now.

Orwell was wrong about two things. First of all, he was 20 years early. Just think about the effect he would have if he choose to title his book “2004”? Second, it’s not the government we should be afraid of, but the Big Evil Empires, who try to control the former anyway. Let’s hope they don’t succeed at that totally and the influence of small companies stays big enough here where I live.